Gatwick Airport will remain closed throughout Wednesday after the Arctic conditions that have swept the country this week intensified. UK snow: Gatwick forced to close as icy conditions take hold

Gatwick Airport will remain closed throughout Wednesday after the Arctic conditions that have swept the country this week intensified. Thousands of holidaymakers saw their plans dashed as Gatwick became the second major British airport to succumb to the freezing conditions.

All departures and arrivals have been cancelled until at least 6am on Thursday after ground staff working throughout the night finally lost the battle to clear the settling snow.

The decision to close the airport came as forecasters warned that the cold snap was set to continue throughout Wednesday, with up to 6in (15cm) of snow and temperatures reaching -7C expected in parts of Britain.